The Freedom of Fiction – What the NaNoWriMo Challenge Taught Me

I’ve never written fiction before. At least not for many years and not since I started taking myself seriously as a writer. I told my husband that I should take a class and learn how to get started. Then I read about the National Novel Writing Month Challenge in my Writers Digest Magazine. I immediately decided to take the plunge. I committed myself to it having no idea what I would write about. I prayed that God would give me the inspiration I needed and that night a crazy idea came to me in bed. Whether I dreamt it or not I cannot say. I just know I woke up with an idea and wrote a synopsis. I sat down to my computer on November third, the day I had earmarked to start because of previous engagements, and away I went.

I’m having a ball. I don’t know from one day to the next where my story is going. I’m writing with abandon, so much so that I couldn’t remember the last name that I gave my protagonist. When I do my first proof read my story will probably have hundreds of holes and contradictions, but I will have a finished story. I’ve written 32,500 words and I’ve got two more days to enjoy my Santa Cruz writing and camping retreat with my cat as my only companion. I’ve got to be done by November 26th because of work commitments but I think I’m going to make it. Thank you NaNoWriMo organizers. I think everyone who calls themselves a writer ought to take the challenge. It’s freeing, inspiring and fun.

I’m a Christian, I’m married to a recovering alcoholic, and I own a famous biker bar. I wrote my memoir BORN AGAIN IN A BIKER BAR, about the struggles I faced at Johnny’s Bar & Grill in Hollister, California, as a business owner and the codependent wife of an alcoholic. My situation at Johnny’s is very unique, but my controlling and enabling characteristics are, unfortunately, pretty common. This blog and my codependency coaching service are how I give back and help others enjoy the transformation that my faith in God has provided.